Decided to stop here for a visit because I hadn't been since my elementary school field trip! It…read morewas a gorgeous day and we had a good time listening to the audio guide they have on YouTube for each of the houses--that was really well put together and very interesting! However, even when visiting on a weekend there weren't many interactive things to do or see besides the blacksmith who was friendly and actively working on a piece. There was no one in the tavern or cookie shop, which would have been cool to experience. When we entered the chandler house (candle maker), there were workers there but no one even acknowledged us or said hello. We were really hoping to be able to make a candle or buy fresh baked cookies as the audio guide suggested! Overall an interesting stop but would have been nice to interact more with the village.

Old Bedford Village Shoppes are part of Old Bedford Village which consists of authentic and…read morereproduced log, stone, and frame buildings that were part of the 18th century. You enter the complex via a covered bridge and then park opposite the welcome center. Admission is very reasonable and gives you an opportunity to explore the different buildings of the town as well as some of the craftsmen who operate the various trades. They have events scheduled throughout the year and during this visit my husband and I got in on a "western" themed re enactment. All over the town were costumed characters who we learned had come in for the weekend only. Co-Vid restrictions are in place. They only allow 25 people in the visitor's center and you can only tour a house one family at a time. All over the complex are picnic area as well as tent stations where you can buy food or just meet up with the people. Some of the craftsmen we got to visit included the broommaker and the mortician. Things have come a long way since the 1700s so I found it very interesting to hear their stories on how they handled their crafts or events of the period. Photo ops abound if you want to grab a picture of yourself in the stocks by the jail and what's also great is that most of the craftsmen wares are found in the gift shop in the welcome center if you want to take a freshly dipped candle, a blacksmith's creation, or even a mini whisk broom. I was blown away by one building that housed and Indian museum. It was believed that an Indian tribe may have existed prior to the actual village that the property sits on and Indian artifacts are on display. Items are also available for sale in the general store, the bakery where you can get giant size homemade cookies, as well as pottery and tin. I couldn't get over how dark the interior of most of the buildings were but those were the days before electricity so you get that authentic feel. Hosts in various buildings are on hand to explain the history of that building and to answer any questions you may have. Christ church was designed after the 1806 log Union church which we later visited in the town of Schellsburg. The wine glass pulpit sits in the center and the building can be used for weddings. The western days didn't disappoint and we got to take in a couple of shows. I loved watching the bullwhip show and their expert ability to slice paper from one's mouth. The western show was well written and very funny. Even got an opportunity to hear from "Mark Twain" in the square. Allow at least 2 hours if you want to tour the place but you could spend all day here. Old Bedford village has so much to offer and is well worth a visit to get a glimpse of life in colonial times. We really enjoyed visiting and sits about 2 miles south of the PA turnpike at the Bedford exit.